Cambodia's parliament elects woman as president for first time in history

22 Aug 2023 12:30pm

Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni (front C), President of the National Assembly Heng Samrin (front centre L), Prime Minister Hun Sen (front 4th L), Minister of Interior Sar Kheng (front 3rd L), President of the Senate Say Chhum (front centre R), Minister of the Royal Palace Kong Sam Ol (front 5th R), Minister of Defence Tea Banh (front 4th R), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Assembly-Senate Relations and Inspection Men Sam An (front 3rd R), member of the National Assembly Khuon Sudary (front 2nd R) and Cambodia's Prime Minister-designate Hun Manet (front R) pose with newly elected members of parliament during the opening ceremony at the National Assembly building in Phnom Penh. Photo by Tang Chhin Soty/AFP

PHNOM PENH - Khuon Sudary was elected on Tuesday as the president of Cambodia's National Assembly for a new five-year term, becoming the first woman to hold this top post, according to the state-run National Television of Cambodia (TVK).

Sudary, 70, is currently a member of the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP)'s Standing Committee, and used to be the second vice-president of the National Assembly in the old term.

She was elected after the CPP won a landslide victory in the July 23 general election, winning 120 out of 125 seats in the National Assembly.

Some 123 lawmakers unanimously elected her as the president during a "package vote."

They also voted for CPP lawmakers Cheam Yeap and Vong Sauth as the first vice president and the second vice president, respectively.

Besides, the parliament elected chairpersons and vice chairpersons of the 10 specialist commissions in the legislative body.

The National Assembly in the seventh legislature consists of 125 lawmakers including 120 from the CPP and five from the royalist Funcinpec Party. - XINHUA